Research Manager
nicole.martinrogers@wilder.org

Nicole works directly with clients and communities to design survey and evaluation approaches and to implement small to large scale research projects. She also manages the data collection unit at Wilder Research, including design and implementation of scientifically sound survey research and consultation with internal and external clients on data collection methodologies. She manages two research units and supervises several research staff. Within the research units, special areas of focus include education-related research and evaluation, community assessments, and designing and implementing specialized evaluation frameworks.

Nicole’s research interests include survey methodology, community-based participatory research, program evaluation, needs assessments, cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) methods, health disparities and public health initiatives, education, community engagement, workforce development, and self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and families.

Nicole holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota with a concentration in nonprofit management and policy analysis, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Recent projects

• A statewide poll of Minnesotans for the Bush Foundation regarding the state government shutdown that occurred in July 2011
• A needs assessment the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood
• Evaluation of several Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grants, including: Blue Earth County Public Health, Brown-Nicollet Community Health Board, Cottonwood-Jackson Community Health Services and Redwood-Renville Public Health, Countryside Public Health, and Le Sueur-Waseca Public Health.
• Two regional surveys also funded by the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP): the Southwest/South Central Adult Health Survey and the Metro Adult Health Survey
• A longitudinal survey research and tracking study of eating and activity among youth for the University of Minnesota School of Public Health Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
• An evaluation capacity building project with the Minnesota Historical Society
• Two longitudinal survey projects of low income parents regarding their child care use and preferences for Child Trends
• Developing an evaluation plan, including a return on investment (ROI) framework, and logic model for Ujamaa Place
• Developing an evaluation plan and logic model for the University of Dubuque’s Diamond Initiative

Report examples